DWP is paying Christmas 'bonus' to people who AREN'T claiming benefits

To get the money you usually need to be claiming benefits before the qualifying week, which is usually the first week of December.

You could still get the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) Christmas bonus WITHOUT claiming benefits. To get the money you usually need to be claiming benefits before the qualifying week, which is usually the first week of December.

The full list of benefits which make you eligible for the bonus include Adult Disability Payment, Armed Forces Independence Payment and Attendance Allowance as well as Carer’s Allowance, Carer Support Payment and also Child Disability Payment.

Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes), Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim) and Disability Living Allowance are also on the qualification criteria.

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Other eligible benefits include Incapacity Benefits at the long-term rate, Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers), Mobility Supplement, Pension Credit - the guarantee element, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit) and Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected).

Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes), War Disablement Pension at State Pension Age, War Widow’s Pension, Widowed Mother’s Allowance, Widowed Parent’s Allowance and Widow’s Pension complete the list.

But in some cases you could be entitled to claim even if you are not claiming benefits. If you in a partnership, for example a marriage or civil partnership, and are claiming the State Pension, then you could also be due the £10 sum.

Your partner may still get the £10 bonus if you are both over the State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week. One of you will need to be claiming a qualifying benefit, such as Pension Credit. Both of you will also need to be aged either 66 or above by the start of December.

Your partner who is claiming must also be entitled to an increase in their qualifying benefit.